Just a Little Off the Top, Please
If you ever feel like having a straight edge taken to your face, I know just the guy. First visited Louie's Barbershop on Castro back in 2009 on a road trip. I wanted to get an American shave and a little asking around got me this address. And when I was last staying in the city, Don was in charge of my hair, and no one else. A gentleman and a master barber.
Don, the sweetest guy. With facial hair like none other.
So, this place is the real thing. Been around since the 1930's and still going strong. Black and white diamond tile flooring, old school chairs, total walk-in--this is the good stuff. And I can't go on about the shave long enough. Lather, hot towel, straight edge razor, with some Bay Rum to finish it all up. (Bay Rum is supposedly the only fragrance that can overpower cigar smoke. Snap!)
Old school. Good times.
Kick back, why don't you?
Coffee and Empanadas
But first, this is the beast that Raphael lent me. It's pretty big. I should have included a match box in the picture for scale, but take my word for it. Gigantic.
Big!
So I kicked off the day with some delicious empanadas at Chile Lindo, across the street from where I used to live. Go for the chilangas--soooo good with their cheesy jalapeño awesomeness. Glad to see they're still around.
Mmm...empanadas.
And what do you know, I kept it up with hitting the hipster holdout that is Four Barrel Coffee on Valencia. With an overload of beards (epic), tattoos (plentiful) and beanies (red) I took refuge by the bar that overlooks the roaster. Where hipsters roast coffee with what little passion they have. (Clever allusion to this.)
Cool beans.
It’s Next Time!
Shit! Who knew that I'd be back in the city some 20 months later? Not I. Places to go, people to see--the Finnish Mafia was immediately up for a few drinks. A section of them had actually dressed as Smurfs for me, a nice touch. (Not really for me. Bay to Breakers.)
SFCS once again. For a few days.
So, once I got into town I knew I had to get me a bike (and helmet, yeah) and Raphael stepped up. He had a crazy giant monster of a road bike (dude's "a short six-foot-six") with a flat lying around and he was kind enough to fix it up for me. 'Cause that's the kind of guy he is. Cheers!
Raphael--kind, freakishly tall.